DIY Medium Open and Closed Terrarium Kit

Product Information

This inexpensive kit by MyDIYTerrarium is ideal for beginners; it’s a straightforward build and a nice starter size. Just don’t choose plants native to arid climates like cacti and succulents… they’re never going to last in the humid conditions of a closed terrarium. Opt for an open terrarium instead. Then, there are air plants that can work in a closed terrarium, but you’ll need to give them additional airflow. For a natural light source, you’ll want your terrarium to be in a bright spot that’s out of direct sunlight. Enlisting the help of beneficial terrarium bugs and microfauna (bacteria and bugs, in short) completes that final all-important nutrient cycle.

If you want an inexpensive, simple, and classic terrarium starter kit with quality materials, this adorable moss project is the one for you. And it’ll only look more lush and wild as it grows over time. Whichever style you opt for, terrariums are a lovely way to refresh and brighten your home and add decoration with beautiful plants which can thrive indefinitely. Just bear in mind that the best terrarium plants are small and slow-growing. Below, we’ve searched high and low for the best terrarium kits – both open and closed – to create your own mini garden indoors. We happen to think they make fabulous gifts, too…

Top 5 Terrarium Kits

The glassware even has an inbuilt LED light, so you can keep your terrarium in a darker area where plants typically need grow lights. 3 | Best Mini/ Mossarium Kit

Getting the perfect setup may take a few tries to get right. If you see too much condensation building up on the inside and not clearing, simply remove the lid for an hour. You may also find your terrarium getting misty, but this soon clears. It comes in several container sizes, and you even have the option to grab the kit without the glassware (or the plants) if you already have some options to hand. So it’s great for adapting to your needs.

For truly maintenance-free growth, choose small plants that stay small. Lots of those tiny plants at the store are actually just baby plants that’ll get much bigger!

Recommended add-on: a set of terrarium tools (tweezers, scissors, fork and shovel). Buy as a set and save 10%.That includes its very own rain cycle and, in the case of a bioactive terrarium, a nutrient cycle, too ( here’s an in-depth look at how terrariums work). My meditating Buddha has been lost in his jungle! Roots have grown up the sides of the terrarium on the window side of the container. Lid– If your glassware doesn’t come with a lid, then find yourself one! ( This shop on Etsy provides custom-sized acrylic lids). It’s not aimed at kids per se, but with quality materials, it’s a nice option for an older child wanting to get to grips with terrarium layers. The Drainage Layer – A foundational structure and reservoir for excess water to drain into. Sometimes, it includes an activated charcoal layer and mesh barrier. We’ve used leca in this drainage layer, it’s our go-to material.

Add the same amount of substrate to your bottle as you did stones, so you get nice layers. The substrate needs to be deep enough actually to plant the roots, so don’t be too sparing. This is where I initially went wrong. Because terrariums are usually small, there's no concern about needing a lot of space like a traditional garden. "They help those who may not have outside spaces of their own to enjoy and learn from their own mini-garden without stepping foot outdoors," says Elizabeth Waddington, a garden designer and sustainability consultant for Horticulture Magazine.Why not try adding a cutting to spice it up a little more?Something like Ficus pumila or Peperomia prostrata (String of Turtles) would work a treat and look great. In terms of the actual planting, I like to start with the tallest plant as it’ll dictate the layout of the land. Then use the smallest plants as decorative highlights. Alternatively, EK Terrariums also has plenty of ready-made mossariums if you fancy skipping the DIY element altogether. 4 | Best Terrarium Kit for Older Kids Yes, worms can serve in a closed terrarium with the correct setup, these can be used in terrariums built from local habitats. Open terrariums are a great craft kit to get started if you're a beginner, as they offer a better airflow for plants so you don't have to worry about issues that arise from condensation – such as mould. Open terrariums are best suited to plants that require dry and arid conditions and direct sunlight – such as cacti, air plants and succulents. So if you fancy growing yourself a mini desert that will last for years to come, you totally can.